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Rochester mayor, police and clergy visit residents

Rochester Police Chief Michael Ciminelli welcomes participants to Clergy on Patrol before they walked the Beechwood neighborhood in the city on Monday evening.(Photo: ANNETTE LEIN, staff photographer)Buy Photo

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren’s initiative to open doors to police and clergy, is doing just that.

The smiles on the faces of unsuspecting city residents, who opened their doors to unannounced visits by police, clergy, and, in some cases, Mayor Warren during Monday’s “Clergy on Patrol” mission, revealed that city residents appreciate the positive attention.

Warren’s recently launched initiative is gathering momentum.

On the 100-block of Sixth Street, Anthony Jenkins Jr., 12, and his sister Valerie Jenkins, 14, were stunned to see Mayor Warren at their door. “I was shocked,” Valerie said. Moments after promising her they would keep their grades up and help keep the street free of litter, they gathered for a group photos with the mayor.

“It is one of the most interesting things that’s happening in the city at this time. It’s energizing the city,” said Rev. Roosevelt Dixon, pastor of Grace Unity Fellowship Church on Joseph Avenue. “This is about touching lives. This is what’s got to happen in Rochester. This is how the city turns around.”

During Monday’s event, Warren, Rochester police Chief Michael Ciminelli and dozens of clergy members joined uniformed officers and walked streets near North Goodman Street, Central Park and Bay Street.

“It’s about people in power to reach out and get feedback from people who are affected by what’s going on - the citizens - because sometimes they just listen to the legislature’s way of handling things,” said Frederick Hall, 33.

“It‘s a fascinating idea. It’s much needed that the clergy get out and interact with the community and help restore what’s broken,” said Elder James Trammell, of Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church on West Broad Street. “You‘d be surprised how many people are looking for something like this to happen in the community... It’s long overdue.”

Chief Ciminelli said the effort is important.

“The first step to understanding is communication,” he said. “This will become regular and as we go into our reorganization. We’re trying to develop an army here that is going to link up with the new sections, and the captains, and lieutenants and seargents and all of the officers and re-introduce this department to the community.”

The new policing structure will commence March 30, 2015.

“This city is worth fighting for,” Warren said, as she thanked volunteers after the walk. “The only way we are going to change our community is if we do it together.”